Although reports from other laboratories had demonstrated that reprogramming of M2‐like to M1‐like macrophages could be induced by TLR7 agonists (Rodell et al, 2018; Mullins et al, 2019), toxicities associated with systemic administration of TLR7 agonists had precluded use of such drugs for the treatment of IPF (Savage et al, 1996; Harrison et al, 2004; Geller et al, 2010; Biffen et al, 2012). Here, TLR7 is linked to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.